How are CBD sales doing now, and how might they fare going forward?

Are CBD sales up or down during COVID-19?

Unibar Corp. (Houston, TX) launched Maitake Pt78, a clinically validated immune modulating mushroom extract. Maitake mushrooms are rich in minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and beta-glucan. To support the immune system, the beta-glucans bind to macrophages, either activating or inhibiting the release of key cytokines. The ingredient’s ability to source the glucan-protein complex creates a source of immune-boosting monosaccharides. The extract uses a proprietary manufacturing process that ensures potency and purity. It delivers a dosage as 15 mg/d.

“Right now, consumers want products that will provide them with better control over their health and improving their immune health is definitely top-of-mind this year. The clinical studies on maitake mushrooms have shown that it provides significant support to the immune system by helping to activate T cells and influencing a proper cytokine response,” said Sevanti Mehta, president of Unibar, in a press release. “Maitake Pt78 is an affordable and high-quality ingredient that is designed to help the body better support healthy immune function by balancing the inflammatory response, promoting healthy cellular function and enhancing the body’s immune defenses. These three benefits deliver a much-needed balance to the immune response, meeting current demand for functional ingredients that will make a difference during today’s health challenges.”

Maitake Pt78 is suitable for a wide variety of product applications and formats, including multivitamins, immune support, travel, stress and sports performance formulas for all ages. It is manufactured according to ISO, cGMP, HAACP, and PMDA requirements and is GRAS.

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Unibar Corp. launched Maitake Pt78, a clinically validated immune modulating mushroom extract. 

Unibar launches mushroom ingredient Maitake Pt78 for immune support

Overnight Labels (Deer Park, NY) added a new press to its digital department, bringing the total number of flexographic and digital presses to 15. The HP 6900 allows the company to offer clients HP Mosaic printing, which generates thousands of unique graphics from one label design. Its new UV Rotary Silk Screen Print adds to its shrink sleeve and specialty finish competencies. To accommodate this growth, Overnight Labels increased its building footprint to 37,500 square feet.

“We believe that maintaining an emphasis on innovation and expansion, especially during challenging times, continues to give Overnight Labels a competitive advantage.” Don Earl, president of Overnight Labels, said in a press release. “These advancements allow us to increase our production capacity and strengthen our expertise in specialty labels and shrink sleeves.” he added.

Overnight Labels added a new press to its digital department, bringing the total number of flexographic and digital presses to 15. 

Overnight Labels increases its flexographic, digital presses to 15

Blue California (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) and Conagen (Bedford, MA) jointly filed a patent for a new, nature-based bitter blocker technology to improve the taste of foods and beverages. Called Sensegen, the technology has unique efficacy across a range of classic bitterants such as plant proteins, cannabinoids, and vitamins popular in today’s food and beverage offerings including coffee, unsweetened cocoa, tea, tonic, energy drinks, and more.

Blue California is scaling and securing global regulatory approval for ingredient which will be marketed under the brand. Its flavor and fragrance division will use the technology to develop custom food and beverage solutions at its newly launched Creative Center in southern California.

“The possibilities are unlimited, and our inspired and talented team customizes ingredient solutions to meet this unmet market need,” said Kathy Oglesby, head of flavor and fragrance at Blue California, in a press release. “At the Blue California Creative Center, we are creating exciting new flavors for the next generation of great tasting, clean label solutions for traditionally bitter products.” 

“Conagen has made impressive investments in its capabilities of high-throughput identification, design and screening to develop the natural novel compound portfolio for taste modulation specifically with this new installment of bitter blockers,” said David Nunn, PhD, vice president of research and development at Conagen. Consumer demand of health and wellness products is growing, and bitter blockers will play an integral role in masking the bitterness and off notes from functional ingredients that 70% of the population is averse to.

Blue California and Conagen jointly filed a patent for a new, nature-based bitter blocker flavor technology to improve the taste of foods and beverages.

Blue California to start production on new bitter blocker flavor technology

 conducted on mice found that the patented nicotinamide riboside (NR) called Niagen prevented light-induced retinal damage. The study demonstrated that exposure to degeneration-inducing levels of light suppressed NAD+ levels, but treatment with NR increased NAD+ levels, preventing damage. Researchers also observed that mice given NR the day and morning prior to light exposure not only had higher NAD+ levels, but thicker retinas, fewer dying (apoptopic) retinal cells, and less retinal inflammation following the light damage.

It is known that NAD+ levels decline naturally with age, and previously published preclinical models found that declines with ocular health is associated with low levels of NAD+. This decline in NAD+ may be a significant factor in the degeneration of the retina, and subsequent vision loss that ensues with aging.

“Just this year, we’ve seen numerous studies published on the benefits of Niagen in human, animal, and cell models,” says Andrew Shao, PhD, ChromaDex senior vice president of global scientific and regulatory affairs, in a press release. “This study paves the way for future research in humans studying age-related declines in ocular health which is a major public health problem.”

Zhang X et al. “Systemic treatment with nicotinamide riboside is protective in a mouse model of light-induced retinal degeneration.” 

Preclinical research1 conducted on mice found that the patented nicotinamide riboside (NR) called Niagen prevented light-induced retinal damage. 

Nicotinamide riboside may support eye health according to a preclinical animal study

Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition

 found that supplementation with a combination of tocotrienols (TheraPrimE Palm Tocotrienols) and astaxanthin (AstaZine Natural Astaxanthin) from BBG World (Irvine, CA) supported the cognitive health of healthy subjects. In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 44 Japanese subjects were assigned to take a supplement containing 9 mg of astaxanthin and 50 mg of tocotrienols, or placebo every day for 12 weeks.

Results showed that subjects taking astaxanthin with tocotrienols saw significant improvements in composite memory and verbal memory at 12 weeks compared to placebo. Subjects taking the combination also had significant improvements in their subjective symptoms of memory, based on their responses to the questions: “During the last week, have you had trouble remembering people’s names or the names of things?”

“We previously demonstrated that AstaZine Natural Astaxanthin alone was able to markedly ameliorate how well subjects can recognize, remember, and retrieve words and geometric figures

. In this study we decided to add 50mg of tocotrienols to the same dosage of Astaxanthin previously tested and we were able to show a statistically significant amelioration versus the placebo group on Cognitrax in addition to improvement in all subjective symptoms measured,” explains the study’s lead author Takahiro Sekikawa, PhD, in a press release. “Previous research has established synergistic antioxidant performance of a Tocotrienol + Astaxanthin blend, and it would be of great interest to investigate in future studies if this outcome is due to an ameliorated absorption of Astaxanthin or perhaps to increased antioxidant activity due to the addition of tocotrienols.”

Sekikawa T et al. “Cognitive function improvement with astaxanthin and tocotrienol intake: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” 

Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition,

 Published online ahead of print on June 19, 2020

Sekikawa T et al. “Cognitive Function Improvement with Astaxanthin Intake: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.” 

A recently published study found that supplementation with a combination of tocotrienols (TheraPrimE Palm Tocotrienols) and astaxanthin (AstaZine Natural Astaxanthin) from BBG World supported the cognitive health of healthy subjects. 

Synergistic blend of astaxanthin and tocotrienols supports cognitive health, says new study

COVID-19 may have decimated the health of just about everything—from the millions who’ve contracted the disease to the industries and economies affected by it. But early reports held that, if nothing else, cannabidiol (CBD) sales were downright thriving during the pandemic’s initial days.

And should that comes as any surprise? As Jessica Lukas, senior vice president, commercial development, BDSA (Boulder, CO), notes, “Consumers look to CBD for health benefits and cite many consumption drivers relevant to COVID-19.” To wit, BDSA’s consumer insights pegged pain relief, better sleep, and relaxation as shoppers’ top-three reasons for turning to the hemp-derived cannabinoid, which was making waves well before the pandemic struck.

But as is the case in the coronavirus era, we’re learning about this disease—and its market shifts—on the fly, and those early reports about CBD sales may no longer hold true, or may have been blips in the data in the first place. So with a few months of the new normal behind us, it’s worth exploring how CBD sales are doing now, and how they may fare going forward.

Looking at the raw figures, Jacob Knepper, data product manager, SPINS LLC (Chicago), notes that his company’s analysis shows overall CBD sales up 28.7% over the 52 weeks ending July 12, 2020. However, he notes, narrowing in further, CBD sales across the channels that SPINS tracked—-mass-market and natural, organic, and specialty retail segments—actually declined 13.2% in that time period.

Digging into CBD’s category specifics, sales of CBD foods and beverages are strong suits, rising 54.2% over that time period, per SPINS. And body care is doing even better, enjoying sales growth of 124% over the time period.

So where’s the soft spot? It appears to be in CBD vitamins and supplements—including herbals and homeopathics. As Knepper says, the category’s “sluggish” 8.6% growth brought CBD sales in that category down “an alarming” 27.6% over the time period.

To be sure, supplements still lead in terms of the sheer number of products available at retail, per SPINS’s retail sample (sales data tracked in the mass-market and natural, organic, and specialty retail segments). And especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Knepper says, “Access to natural and low-side-effect remedies for stress, anxiety, and pain surely contributes to CBD demand.”

But CBD’s continued success may rest more on how strongly consumers perceive the cannabinoid’s effectiveness, as well as the cost they’re willing to bear to attain those perceived benefits. “And during tight economic times,” Knepper says, “if consumers feel there’s a high cost associated with mid to low levels of effectiveness, CBD may become ‘too discretionary’ relative to other solutions.”

Moreover, he notes, for many consumers, CBD is still in what he calls a “trial-purchase phase,” setting up yet another economic barrier during already-dicey times, and dealing “a secondary blow to CBD’s growth in our retail sample.”

As if that weren’t enough, the uncertainty surrounding CBD’s regulatory status, coupled with the influence of dispensary sales, may also hamper supplement growth at retail now and going forward, Knepper says.

After all, notes Lukas, BDSA research found that dispensary sales of CBD were up across all major legal markets—Arizona, California, Colorado, Maryland, and Oregon—thanks to the decisions of local leaders during COVID-19’s early days to allow curbside and delivery options and, in some cases, even declare cannabis businesses essential.

By contrast, sales in Massachusetts and Nevada—which Lukas note have tighter dispensary sales restrictions (and, possibly, weakened tourism-driven purchases)—didn’t get the same bounce, she says.

“Further, all products, including CBD products in dispensaries, have grown and seen spikes on ‘critical’ COVID-19 stock-up days,” she says. Dispensary dollar sales of CBD-infused edibles were up 73% year over year, according to BDSA’s research, while dispensary sales of CBD-infused beverages rose 55% year over year over year, courtesy of the same spikes. Thus, Lukas contends, “Dispensaries being deemed essential was critical for the continued growth of the legal cannabis market.”

All of which makes the retail road ahead look rougher for CBD supplements. In addition to dispensaries’ effects and consumers’ cost-benefit analysis, Knepper lists other challenges in these times: fewer promotions, more shelf space given over to pandemic products and core sellers, increasing competition from alcohol, and high trial/low repeat rates. All this complicates the outlook for CBD even more.

The retail outlook for CBD foods and beverages, however, looks noticeably rosier, Knepper believes. The situation is similar in body care: Not only do the products carry a midrange price that consumers can stomach, but “their benefits are different,” Knepper says, “and CBD is included with other ingredients that help achieve the desired benefits.”

No wonder, then, that body care and foods and beverages already take second and third place, respectively, in SPINS’ retail sample, with more CBD products entering the market in those two categories—45 in body care and 56 in food/beverages—than in supplements (37) for the first time in the past 52 weeks, as of July 12, 2020, Knepper says. “This suggests that both brands and retailers may see more opportunities existing in body care and food/bev than elsewhere.”

That continued growth in body care, he believes, “is primarily fueled by therapeutic topicals and analgesic products, though CBD-infused facial products such as creams and masks are showing tremendous growth and opportunity, too.”

And in a fitting turn for the pandemic era, CBD products entered SPINS’ antiseptic subcategory for the first time in the past 52 weeks, with the appearance of CBD-infused hand sanitizers. It’s not such a stretch, given CBD’s purported antibacterial properties; however, says Knepper, “it’s important to note that CBD is not a CDC-approved disinfectant”—referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—and most products lean on ingredients like ethyl alcohol for their disinfectant activity.

As for supplements, “Unless certain pressures are lifted,” Knepper says, “lower growth compared to other departments may continue for CBD supplement products in our retail sample.”

But perhaps this signals an opening for CBD’s brand cousins in the THC arena—THC being tetrahydrocannabinol, the cannabinoid that, unlike CBD, is psychoactive. As Lukas points out, “Currently, there’s a huge opportunity for independent and well-known THC brands to use their reputation for making quality products to cross over into the general retail channel with CBD products.”

With FDA plenty occupied by pandemic business, a decision to finally permit CBD as an approved food additive won’t likely arrive anytime soon—which means the agency will likely continue using its limited resources to issue more warning letters to CBD companies. “THC companies that have developed a culture of compliance around regulations may be well positioned to communicate their benefits,” Lukas says, “without crossing the line into making claims.”

Some would say it’s about time, even in tough times like these.

The DuPont Human Microbiome Venture (Copenhagen, Denmark) entered a research partnership with Procter & Gamble (P&G), focusing on the discovery and development of next-generation probiotics (NPGs) for human health. Although the two companies have conducted extensive research on human commensals, to accelerate the development and commercialization of NGPs, both companies are joining forces to develop NGPs, initially to be used in dietary supplements for metabolic health. 

“It’s an exciting opportunity to partner with P&G to jointly develop the next generation of microbe-based products. The combination of DuPont’s and P&G’s unique set of capabilities will allow us to accelerate innovation in the field of metabolic health and help millions of consumers affected by metabolic health issues,” said Sebastien Guery, DuPont's Human Microbiome Venture leader, in a press release.

“As a company focused on innovation, P&G is excited to come together with our valued partners at DuPont,” added Paul Gama, president, P&G Personal Health Care. P&G already manufactures a probiotic called Align, which Gama says is the leading brand recommended by doctors and gastroenterologists to support a healthy digestive system. “This strategic partnership will help us further advance our probiotic innovation via a next generation solution that will prove beneficial to the health and well-being of consumers around the world,” states Gama.

The DuPont Human Microbiome Venture entered a research partnership with Procter & Gamble, focusing on the discovery and development of next-generation probiotics 

DuPont Human Microbiome, P&G partner to develop next-generation probiotics 

InnoBev, Ltd. (Tel Aviv, Israel) launched its BioLift beverage in the U.S. market. It is designed to help the body's circadian rhythm overcome the midday slump by utilizing the science of chronobiology, which follows the biological rhythms, or the biology of time associated with our internal biological clocks. 

“BioLift has demonstrated in three clinical trials an ability to increase productivity, reduce brain fog, and maintain clarity for higher performance,” said Eli Faraggi, founder of InnoBev, in a press release. “But unlike its highly caffeinated competitors, BioLift does not increase pulse or blood pressure.”

It is sweetened with low-glycemic carob extract, specifically designed to reduce blood sugar fluctuation, and has been shown to significantly help increase vigilance, enhance focus on work performance, and improve cognitive function and word recall. In addition, the product contains 10 mg of caffeine, and high quality, all-natural extracts of gingko biloba, elderberry, and guarana. BioLift comes in three flavors: Mandarin Orange, Melon Lime, and Mixed Berry

BioLift is designed to help the body's circadian rhythm overcome the midday slump by utilizing the science of chronobiology.

Israeli food-tech startup launches its BioLift energy beverage in the U.S. 

Karthik Maniam is a director of quality and environmental health safety at Phasex Corp. (North Andover, MA). Maniam is a licensed professional environmental engineer in New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts and holds a master’s degree in environmental technology from New York Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in chemical engineering.

2019 Council for Responsible Nutrition Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements

, 77% of adults in the United States take dietary supplements, the highest level of consumption tracked by the survey to date.

 Amidst the significant increase in the consumption of dietary supplements and the awareness of the benefits that dietary supplements provide, consumers are also more aware of product safety concerns. One of the chief concerns of FDA, the agency overseeing supplements in the U.S., regarding potential harmful impurities in dietary supplements that could put consumers at risk centers around residual levels of solvents found in some dietary supplements.

These residual solvents are introduced through ingredients that have been previously extracted using certain solvents such as ethanol, isohexane, acetone, and ethyl acetate. The residual solvents are defined as organic volatile chemicals that are commonly used in the extraction of dietary ingredients and as a processing aid in the manufacturing of dietary supplements. The residual solvents have no nutritional value and may pose a public health risk. Therefore, there is a need to remove them either from the final products or reduce their amounts to below acceptable levels. Supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) is a versatile technique which can be employed to extract the concentrate from a biomass without using the conventional solvents, ensuring no residual solvents in the final products while improving product quality.

This article discusses the significance of removal of residual solvents, the need for the SCFE technique, and the process mechanism and benefits as an alternative green technology in removing residual solvents in dietary supplements.

Industry Standard: Removing Residual Solvents

Though there is no regulatory requirement for the removal of residual solvents in dietary supplements or dietary ingredients, there are still good reasons for removing these solvents. For instance, when a dietary supplement is claimed to meet standards such as United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) standards or are registered under the USP Verification Program, then it should meet the criteria for removing the residual solvents.

In such context, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has adapted the residual solvent guideline provided by The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, ICH Q3C, for dietary supplements.

 This guidance document divides solvents into three risk-based classes: Class 1 solvents, which are known to cause unacceptable toxicities; Class 2 solvents, which are associated with less severe toxicity; and Class 3 solvents, which have low toxic potential. In addition, the guidance also introduces the concept of permitted daily exposure (PDE) and provides the PDE or corresponding concentration limits for Class 1 and Class 2 solvents.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction Technique (SCFE)

Typically, the extraction of dietary ingredients involves the use of organic solvents. The most commonly used solvents in the extraction of dietary ingredients are ethanol, isohexane, acetone, and ethyl acetate. However, there are problems associated with the removal of residual solvents. SCFE is considered to be an alternative green technology which can be employed to replace the conventional solvent extraction technique.

SCFE is the method of separating one component from another component in a mixture using supercritical fluid as the extracting solvent. The commonly utilized solvent is carbon dioxide (CO

) because of its unique characteristic and its nontoxic, nonflammable, and cost-effective properties. Using gas 

 as a solvent, SCFE can extract the concentrate that is required and separate the soluble active components from a biomass substrate. Because the solvent is 

 and a gas, the extracted product and the spent biomass are free of residual solvents whereas in the case of extraction using the conventional solvents, there will be residual solvent in both the extracted product and the spent biomass.

The process of SCFE includes pumping the liquid 

 at a pressure typically above 2000 psi through the heat exchangers and heating up to a temperature ranging from 20 degrees Celsius to 90 

 exhibits a unique dissolution property, and this can be replaced with many typical organic solvents. This 

 is passed through the extractor for a specified period. This time period can vary and is dependent on the type of materials that needs to be extracted.

In the vessel, the extractable component dissolves in the 

, comes out from the vessel, and is passed through the pressure reducer to the heat exchanger and to the separator. At this point, the 

, and the extractable material is collected at the bottom of the separator. The vapor 

 is passed through a condenser and converted into liquid, and then it is reprocessed.

The cost of an extraction system depends on several factors. For instance, it can be determined by the trade secrets and commercial sensitivity involved in the proprietary solvents developed by industries and commercial organizations. Information to help make the decision about an appropriate system is available either from the literature on non-commercial solvents used by various science and engineering research laboratories or from the industrial guidelines provided by organizations such as AHPA. It is worth noting, however, that most of the industrial system–based information is primarily based on government guidelines such as 29 CFR Part 1926.152(a), 29 CFR 1926.55(a), and so on.

It’s also worth taking other considerations into account when choosing an extraction system. For instance, the solvents used in the extraction of dietary ingredients have an exceptionally low flash point, and as per 29 CFR Part 1926.152(a)(1) “General requirements,” only approved containers and portable tanks shall be used for storage and handling of flammable liquids.

 As per 29 CFR 1926.55(a), employers must limit an employee’s exposure to the commonly used solvents.

 The employer must first implement the administrative or engineering controls whenever feasible. When such controls are not feasible to achieve full compliance, protective equipment or other protective measures shall be used to keep the exposure of employees to air contaminants within the acceptable limits. The byproduct generated during the solvent extraction is saturated with solvent and must be properly handled and disposed of to be in compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Resource Conservation Recovery Act regulations—whereas in the case of SCFE, the employer doesn’t have to deal with these regulations.

The supercritical fluid extraction technique is a green technology which has the potential to resolve the problem of removing residual solvents. By taking the above constraints into consideration, it is apparent that the solvent extraction technique you choose is strongly dependent on employees’ safety and could be an expensive process.

Extraction technology can improve the quality of the dietary supplements. In conclusion, supercritical fluid extraction using 

 as a solvent in the extraction of dietary ingredients will not add any residual organic solvents but also removes pesticides and heavy metals from final products. It also will meet the residual-solvents requirements of certification bodies such as the USP.

Council for Responsible Nutrition website. 2019 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements.

Food and Drug Administration guidance. “Acceptance Criteria for Residual Solvents.” Published June 1997.

The United States Pharmacopeial Convention. General Chapter <467> Residual Solvents. Revised December 1, 2020.

American Herbal Products Association guidance policy. Residual Solvents in Extracts. Retrieved from: http://www.ahpa.org/AboutUs/AHPASPolicies/GuidancePolicies.aspx

Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard. 1926.152 Flammable liquids. Retrieved from: ​ 

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.152

Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard. 1926.55 Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists. Retrieved from: 

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.55

Supercritical fluid extraction using CO2 is instrumental in replacing conventional solvents.

Supercritical fluid’s evolving role in dietary ingredients extraction

A new study, pending publication, validates the immune-modulating effects of the standardized 

 extract AP-Bio, says Natural Remedies (Bangalore, India). In the open-label, single center study, 30 participants with absolute lymphocyte counts of 1000-4000 cells/ μL took 200 mg of AP-Bio per day for 30 days, and were evaluated at baseline, day 3, day 7, and day 30.

Results showed that supplementation increased T cells, T cell helpers, and significantly increased Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interleukin-2 (IL-2) at day 30. Subgroup analysis showed that subjects with absolute lymphocyte counts of 1000-3000 cells/ μL had a significant increase in T cells and T cell helpers at day 7 and 30, as well as significant increases in IFN-γ, IL-4, and decreases in IL-2 at day 30.

, published in 2010, demonstrated how supplementation with AP-Bio may ameliorate cold symptoms, while this new study lends insights into the extract’s mechanism of action, and suggests its utility to strengthen immune function and protect users from pathogens. “An interesting aspect of AP-Bio is that it seems to have balancing effects on immunity and inflammation, particularly in the context of respiratory health,” says Deepak Mundkinajeddu, PhD, head of research and development at Natural Remedies, in a press release.

“Consumers are serious about defending their immunity, and increasingly, they’re looking for natural solutions that have the science to prove they work,” said Abey Thomas, assistant general manager of global marketing for Natural Remedies, in a press release. “For manufacturers who want to deliver on consumer expectations, AP-Bio ticks all the boxes: it’s clinically researched, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher, Halal, vegan, non-dairy and 100% natural."

Saxen RC et al. “A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical evaluation of extract of 

 (KalmColdTM) in patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection.” 

A new study, pending publication, validates the immune-modulating effects of the standardized Andrographis paniculata extract AP-Bio, says Natural Remedies. 